Ka ipu kukui translates to “crucible of light:” the light that shines in each and every one of us who is willing to make a difference in our environment, in our community and in our lives.

That’s exactly what Island Sotheby’s International Realty agent Shaun Pederson R(S), a Lahainaluna High School alumni, has focused on for the last year - making a positive difference for Maui County’s future. Last summer, the Island Sotheby's International Realty agent was selected as part of the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Class of 2019, a year-long leadership development program run by the nonprofit aimed at identifying and nurturing young leaders in Maui County. A story in the Maui News recently highlighted his fellowship.

The first annual Maui Wine & Food Classic is set to take place this spring at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, an event that promises to deliver a weekend of experiences unlike any other, according to a news release from the hotel.

Get ready for an oceanfront gala and brunch & bubbles, as well as a plethora of other exclusive tasting events. The event is the brainchild of the Four Seasons and one of the most famous and trusted sommeliers in the industry — Navarro, the

As soon as you enter the gates enclosing this tropical paradise, the hustle and bustle of the outside world simply melts away. Nestled on 5 acres that boast captivating ocean views from almost every vantage point on the property, this Haiku estate offers the best of island living. Island Sotheby’s International Realty agents Ryan MacLaughlin, R(B) and Alex Cortez, R(B) are representing the seller.

“The most alluring feature is the total privacy that this property allows,” said MacLaughlin, an owner of Island Sotheby’s International Realty. “Behind the gated entry, meander down a charming dirt road into a valley shielding you from the elements — you truly feel like it is the

Welcome home — to what Maui No Ka Oi magazine described as “The Ultimate Art Project.”

Lovingly designed by highly-acclaimed Hawai’i artist Robert Suzuki, this four-bedroom architectural masterpiece offered for $3.25 million in the heart of Wailea is truly a work of art. Island Sotheby’s International Realty agents Debra Merle R(B) and Cathryn Paxton-Haines R(B) are listing the home, which boasts 3,780 square feet of bright, airy and elegant living areas.

“I decided to build a house to showcase my art,” Suzuki told Island Sotheby’s International Realty. “That was the intention: to build a house to showcase my work while keeping the feeling of the home beachy yet contemporary.”

Maui is known mostly as a world-class vacation destination, famous for its white-sand beaches and luxury resorts. But it’s paradise for those looking to explore the great outdoors, too.

If you’re avid hiker or backpacker looking to lace up your hiking boots and get away from it all, Maui is nirvana. From coastal trails surrounded by the sounds of gently crashing waves to multi-day treks through Haleakala, Maui boasts a range of hikes through all sorts of climates for all skill levels. These are a few of our favorites:

Sliding Sands Trail

Photo: Be at peace (CC BY-SA 4.0)

This hike isn’t for the faint of heart, but offers a glimpse of Haleakala that’s out of this world. You’ll travel at least 5 miles across the ancient shield volcano, known as

It just got a whole lot easier to build ohana units on Maui properties, marking a win in the fight against the island’s affordable housing crisis.

Under the previous law, Maui property owners weren’t allowed to have any ohana units if their lot was under 7,500 square feet — and regardless of their lot size, they could only have one. But under the new law, lots under 7,500 square feet can now have a unit up to 500 square feet, while lots above 7,500 square feet can have have two ‘ohanas. The policy also expands the maximum size of the units, in addition for allowing more off-street parking.

Officially called accessory dwelling units, ohana units go by several of names, including granny flats, mother-in-law flats and garage apartments. They have